French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday reappointed Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister, tasking him with forming a new government and drafting a budget to end weeks of political turmoil and restore stability to France’s paralyzed administration.
Lecornu's re-appointment followed days of intense negotiations and came less than a week after he resigned amid infighting in his freshly named government. France is struggling with mounting economic challenges and ballooning debt, and the political crisis is aggravating its troubles and raising alarm across the European Union.
The appointment is widely seen as Macron's last chance to reinvigorate his second term, which runs until 2027. Lacking a majority in the National Assembly to push through his agenda, Macron faces mounting criticism - including from within his own ranks - and has little room to maneuver.
Macron's office released a one-sentence statement late Friday night announcing the appointment, one month after the statement issued a month ago when Lecornu was initially named and four days after he resigned.
Lecornu said in a statement on social networks that he accepted the new job offer out of ″duty.″ He said he was given a mission ″to do everything to give France a budget by the end of the year and respond to the daily problems of our compatriots.″
